The subject, an allegory of night, spreads its black wings to send men to sleep.  Below is the Goddess Aurora, an allegory of morning, spreading dew over the earth, born of the tears shed at the death of her son Memnon.  This subject, which is common in baroque art, no doubt is in keeping with the décor of a bedroom ceiling. Because of its range of colours, the work could date from the artist’s stay in Paris.